Department for Exiting the European Union

Brexit

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to implement the necessary reciprocal legislation for (1) air transport, (2) road haulage, (3) customs and exports of goods, and (4) EU climate change policy as required as a condition of the temporary offers in those areas by the EU's CommunicationPreparing for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 30 March 2019: Implementing the Commission’s Contingency Action Plan (Com (2018) 810 final), published on 19 December.

lord callanan: The EU (Withdrawal) Act and other exit related primary and secondary legislation will ensure a functioning statute book for all scenarios on exit day. The Government remains confident of achieving this as we leave the EU.Further, extensive work to prepare for a no deal scenario has been under way for over two years. As part of this work we have released 106 technical notices including on the issues of transport, climate change policy and customs and exports. These notices set out the unilateral steps that the Government will take to ensure that the UK is prepared in the event of a no deal scenario.

European Parliament: Elections

lord kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government on what date in May 2019 the European elections will be held; and how they anticipate that date will change if the UK's withdrawal from the EU is postponed.

lord callanan: The European Parliament elections will begin on Thursday 23 May and end on Sunday 26 May. The Government has been clear that the UK will cease to be a member of the European Union on 29 March 2019. As such, the United Kingdom will not be participating in the European Parliament Elections.

European Parliament Members

lord kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK will still have MEPs if the UK does not leave the EU.

lord callanan: The Government has been clear that the UK will cease to be a member of the European Union on 29 March 2019. After this date the UK will no longer have Members of the European Parliament.

Brexit

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to produce an analysis of the Communication by the European Commission Preparing for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 30 March 2019: Implementing the Commission’s Contingency Action Plan, published on 19 December, to identify points of conflict and agreement with their own contingency plans for a no deal Brexit.

lord callanan: The Government has noted carefully the contents of the Commission’s 19 December Communication, alongside the Commission’s previous statements on contingency planning. We have been clear that we do not want or expect a no deal scenario. Both sides remain focused on delivering the deal that has been agreed.As the Prime Minister has also noted, it is the responsible thing to do to prepare for all eventualities. Just as we are making sensible preparations for all outcomes, we would expect the EU to do the same.

Business

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of a joint-statement made bythe Confederation of British Industry, Institute of Directors, British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, and the Engineering Employers' Federation aboutthe prospect of a managed no-deal Brexit.

lord callanan: My Department continues to engage with businesses and representative organisations to understand their priorities and concerns as we leave the European Union.Delivering the deal negotiated with the EU remains our top priority and is the best way of avoiding a no deal scenario. However, until MPs have voted to approve the deal, and with 11 weeks until we leave the EU, we will continue to prepare for every eventuality. That is the responsible thing to do.We are clear that the UK will aim to minimise disruption for businesses in the short term, in a no deal scenario.We’ve published 106 technical notices, which provide important information for businesses and, following Cabinet’s agreement before Christmas, will provide further detailed guidance for businesses over the coming weeks.